Search availabilityCarpe Noctem Penthouse

Carpe Noctem Penthouse

A cut above the rest

Description - Hostel

Fact: 60% of the total floor space in Carpe Noctem Penthouse is social space.

Why? Because we believe that lying across bean bag sofas, sofa beds and sofas with other travellers is much better than cramming a million beds into a small space. Why else? Because if you are a single traveller, travelling in a group, a sociable person, someone who likes to read, someone who wants to watch movies, someone who is partial to an afternoon nap or someone who wants to plan their next route, or someone who wants to check their emails... you all need space to do it in, and we think it's better to be around people and share this with other like minded travellers, because you never know who might just be your new best friend, or more!

Fact: Carpe Noctem goes out drinking every single night.

Why? Because we are all out and out party animals, or closet ones who will be partial to a few drinks if they are with the right people. Why else? Because Budapest may just be the greatest city on Earth and we want you to see if during the night time with the awesome ruin bars and cheap drinks (and discounted drinks too), and because great stories come from good nights out, and we like great stories.

Fact: Budapest IS the greatest city on Earth (cited from Suzi 2010)

Therefore we don't want you to miss any of it, so we give you a detailed check in, sometimes up to 20 minutes if you don't stop us and haven't fallen asleep! We'll tell you all the dos and don'ts of the city, places to see, tours which aren't rip offs, history if you're interested, awesome little places we just fell in love with and moved here for, cheap cheap eateries, as well as anything bespoke you want for your trip.

Fact: a restless traveller gets itchy feet and moves on.

So we keep you busy all day every day. Csocso (table football), darts, guitar heroes, singstar, chess, poker and yahtzee are all just part of our stock collection, but we are also prone to having A. D. H. D. and therefore are up for any options or ideas you may have for in and out of the hostel.

Fact: not all people have livers or kidneys of steel.

So we accept that partying every night may be too much for some people (even if it's called Carpe Noctem!). So we'll let you have the occasional detox before the retox, and chill, or play games, watch movies or use the free internet so you can get back on it the next day!

Fact: large hostels lack character and appear soulless.

So we have themed all of our rooms, decorated by local street artists, and we have some very characterful staff.

Fact: Not everyone is a smoker, but smokers love smoking.

To combat this, we have one smoking area outdoors on our gallery terrace (which has a nice and clear view of St Istvan's basilica) so you can smoke away watching the sunset, and not annoy the asthmatic or non smokers of you all. The terrace is also pretty good for catching sun rays in the day time as well!

Fact: after all that partying and sight seeing and travelling, people get tired.

Which is why we make the hardcore partying outside of the hostel, so you get to go wild every night in Budapest on pub crawls, shit-pub-pub-crawls, karaoke nights, backpackers' parties and whatever else we organise for you for free, but if you want to chill in the hostel or get an early night, you can.

Fact: A poor location will cause you unnecessary walking, or having to use public transport at extra cost (or fear of controllers...)

So we looked at the map of Pest and put a pin in the middle of it and decided to put our hostel there (try it yourself!) Luckily, that pin was on the busiest tram route in the city, next to the yellow metro line and in walking distance to most sites, but all decent pubs, bars and restaurants!

Fact: Backpackers have everything that is important to them on their back and need to feel that it is safe.

So we have put a double security keypad to enter the building, and invested in high tech security system for the hostel and your room door. Oh and there is a locker for you under your bed, and free padlocks too!

Fact: We are Brits and Aussies who occasionally miss certain things from home, if you want to put a smile on our faces or knock a euro or two off your stay, please contact us with what you can bring us!

Fiction: is a type of literature. We have some books for you to read, or we know good bookshops!

Disclaimer: not all these facts are actually factually true, but they're pretty close. Penthouse is a beautiful place in a two tier apartment at the top of a classically old building but with brand new renovations. We love it, we think you will to, book it!

Regrettably, due to previous experience, we can no longer accept bookings for people over 40 as we have found they have not been suitable for our hostel. If you are outside this age range, you will be offered alternative accommodation.

Location - Hostel

How to get there

We are in front of Kiraly utca tram stop on the 4/6 tram route. Directly opposite the Royal Corinthia Hotel entrance. We are a short walk from Oktogon metro station too.

Unfortunately we do not have an obvious sign outside the hostel so please make sure that you know the address (Erzsebet korut 50) and buzz 22 on the keypad.

From Airport 1: Take the shuttle train to Nyugati train station, it takes around 22-24 minutes then get the 4/6 tram, in the OPPOSITE direction of Moszkva ter, for 2 stops which will be Kiraly utca. Get off here and call buzzer 22 at no. 50 Erzsebet korut, the door between 'Photo Hall' and the money exchange.

From airport 2: Take the 200E bus towards Kobanya Kispest and then take the blue metro line towards Ujpest Kozpont then get off at Nyugati train station. From here you can take the 4/6 tram 2 stops, in the OPPOSITE direction of Moszkva ter, for 2 stops which will be Kiraly utca. Get off here and call buzzer 22 at no. 50 Erzsebet korut, the door between 'Photo Hall' and the money exchange.

From Keleti International train station: Take the bus no. 5, 7 or 173 two stops to Blaha Luijza ter and then get on the 4/6 tram for 2 stops which will be Kiraly utca. Get off here and call buzzer 22 at number 50 Erzsebet Korut, the door between 'Photo Hall' and the money exchange.

From Nyugati train station: Take the 4/6 tram, in the OPPOSITE direction of Moszkva ter, for 2 stops which will be Kiraly utca. Get off here and call buzzer 22 at no. 50 Erzsebet Korut, the door between 'Photo Hall' and the money exchange.

From Nepliget bus station: Take the blue metro line in the direction of Ujpest Kozpont for 8 stops and get off at Nyugati Palyaudvar. Come out of the basement and onto street level and take the 4/6 tram, in the OPPOSITE direction of Moszkva ter, for 2 stops which will be Kiraly utca. Get off here and call buzzer 22 at no. 50 Erzsebet Korut, the door between 'Photo Hall' and the money exchange.

We highly recommend that you buy tickets for all public transport. Tickets are available from all metro stations, Relay shops in the basements and often from ticket machines at tram stops. A one way single ticket for the metro, tram, bus or trolleybus costs 320 HUFs. Being caught without a ticket will cost you 6000 HUFs in fines and the controllers can be very intimidating. At the airport you can buy tickets for the train from the tourist information desk. They cost approximately 400 HUFs.